Fire breaks out at Birling Gap
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Firefighters from Eastbourne, Seaford, and Heathfield rushed to the blaze which had broken out in the open at the beauty spot at about 6pm.
On arrival, there was approximately 100 square meters of gorseland alight, said East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service.
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Hide AdCrews used beaters, two hose reel jets and flexpacks to extinguish the flames.
ESFRS said the cause of the fire is not yet known and a fire investigation is due to take place today.
David Baker from East Dean was taking photos of the local flora moments before he noticed the emergency response.
The rector of East Dean Church, and former political journalist at the Leicester Mercury, followed his instincts and came across the blaze, taking photos of the firefighters hard at work.
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Hide AdWhen the 53-year-old first saw the flames, he thought, “Gosh, I hope this doesn’t really start to spread, because it is dry. It would be awful if it engulfed the lighthouse or the National Trust building and tea rooms.”
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